GREENFIELD – Local resident Elizabeth Masterson is welcoming local families to “share your America” with a high school exchange student from one of 70 European, South American, Asian or African countries during the upcoming school year.
Masterson of Greenfield is the new community coordinator of Program of Academic Exchange (PAX).
PAX students are 15-18 years old, have studied English for at least three years, and are motivated to learn more about the U.S. by attending high school and living with a host family. PAX students are eager to experience American activities—backyard barbecues, birthday celebrations, and holidays—with their host families. Volunteer host families provide PAX students with a bed, a quiet place to study, a seat at the dining table, a warm and supportive home environment, and encouragement to engage in everyday American life. With their exchange students, host families experience such activities through fresh eyes while also learning about the exchange student’s country and culture. All types of families—single parents, young couples, retirees, and parents with teenagers—are welcome to host.
Host families have the opportunity to become welcome families, emergency families or permanent families. Welcome families would host the student for up to the first eight weeks of their time in the states. Emergency families host the student in circumstances where a last-minute need arises. Permanent families host the student for the full time the student is in the states—for one semester or the entire school year.
Founded in 1990, PAX is a not-for-profit educational organization and one of a select few U.S. Department of State designated Exchange Visitor Program’s chosen to participate in its prestigious U.S. government-sponsored FLEX and YES programs. Each year, more than 1,100 teenagers visit the U.S. as PAX exchange students. For more information, call Masterson at 317-408-6157 or visit www.pax.org.
